Message from Ms. Irina Bokova, Director-General of UNESCO, on the Occasion of World Day of Romani Language

　　教科文组织总干事伊琳娜·博科娃女士在世界罗姆语日的致辞

　　5 November 2017

　　2017年11月5日

　　UNESCO proclaimed the World Day of Romani Language in 2015 to promote the preservation of Romani language and culture, improve the well-being of Romani people, and recognize the importance of all languages, whose diversity is a source of strength for all societies to share.

　　教科文组织在2015年宣布了世界罗姆语日，目的是促进罗姆语言文化保护，增进罗姆人的福祉，承认少数语言的重要性，而语言多样性是所有社会共享的一个力量之源。

　　Romani language – Romani čhib – is the official language of Romani people across the world, enriched by a history of migration and a wide range of influences. This also gives rise to steep challenges that place this language in danger of extinction. This endangerment throws a shadow over a core part of Romani identity and culture, threatening a unique heritage, rich with knowledge and wisdom. This is why UNESCO calls for greater support to the Romani language, including education in this language especially for Romani children, for whom this is their mother tongue. Recognizing the importance of Romani language must be part of wider efforts to prevent all forms of discrimination and support Romani people, their human rights, social inclusion and development.

　　罗姆语(Romani čhib)是全世界罗姆人的官方语言。罗姆人素喜移徙流浪、足迹遍布世界各地，这成就了这门丰富的语言，也带来了严峻的挑战，令这门语言处于灭绝的危险之中。语言灭绝的危险给罗姆人的身份和文化内核投下了阴影，令这项有着丰富知识和智慧的独特遗产岌岌可危。因此，教科文组织呼吁加大对罗姆语的支持力度，包括推动使用这种语言对罗姆儿童进行教育，因为这是他们的母语。在预防一切形式的歧视以及支持罗姆人、促进其人权、社会融入和发展的广泛努力中，必须包括对罗姆语重要性的承认。

　　On this World Day of Romani Language, let us all stand with Romani people, to celebrate their culture as part of the wealth of all humanity and to encourage the protection of all languages and cultures across the world on the basis of human rights.

　　值此世界罗姆语日之际，让我们与罗姆人并肩携手，颂扬作为全人类财富一部分的罗姆文化，鼓励立足于人权，保护世界上的所有语言和文化。